“That’s why I’m so happy” – Player shares delight after securing Celtic exit

On August 29th, Celtic‘s Michel-Ange Balikwisha joined KAA Gent on loan, after a disappointing spell with Martin O’Neill’s side.

The forward says he’s happy to have secured a move away from Celtic in the summer window.

Het Nieuwsblad interviewed the Celtic man over his move to the Jupiler Pro League side and Voetbal Primeur have relayed his comments.

Disaster spell at Celtic 

The Scottish Premiership winners chased him for over a year before signing him from Royal Antwerp in August 2025.

Brendan Rodgers was then in charge at Celtic and handed him 263 minutes from nine matches.

Rodgers left the club in October 2025, and this had a direct impact on the 25-year-old. Since the manager’s exit, he played 162 minutes from five matches. Earlier this year, the Belgian media were concerned that the attacker had completely disappeared at Celtic.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha joined KAA Gent and has made two substitute appearances so far.

“It gives me immense pleasure to be back in action. I’m a player who really loves playing football. Whatever happens, I think it is wonderful to be on the pitch. That is why I am so happy to be here,” he said.

Difficult Celtic situation didn’t impact transfer 

The Belgium-born DR Congo international endured a tough spell at Celtic. That didn’t put off KAA Gent from making an approach to secure his services on loan with an option to buy.

Michel-Ange Balikwisha returns to the Jupiler Pro League and can also play in the UEFA Conference League with Gent this season.

“Moreover, this is a club that plays in Europe, and of course, I know the Belgian league very well. Furthermore, KAA Gent followed my situation closely and really wanted me to relaunch my career here,” Balikwisha explained.

“Naturally, I hope to get more playing time in the long term, like I did at Standard and Antwerp. On the other hand, I found a very quiet and family-oriented club here. The group is very modest and also quite young.”

His contract with Martin O’Neill’s side runs down in 2030.